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Neil’s 40 years of education experience include teaching in both the UK state and independent sectors, international schools, GCSE and A-level public examining, state and independent sector governance, school inspection, private school headship and as chief executive of the Independent Schools Association. He was one of the longest serving directors of the Independent Schools Council and represented English independent schools on the General Teaching Council for England, where his work included chairing teacher disciplinary panels and national programme guidance. His advisory work includes work for HM Treasury and the Department for Education, as well as acting as expert witness for independent schools facing legal challenges. He has advised members of parliament at a policy level and regularly features in the UK print media. He counsels schools on areas as diverse as new school openings, mergers and acquisitions, compliance with the Independent Schools Standards Regulations, boarding management (including new boarding schools), special educational needs, headteacher appraisal, and teaching quality. His publication credits cover areas such as academic selection, state and independent partnerships, A-level geography, school sport and literacy beyond the classroom.
Neil is currently a magistrate, trustee of a multi-academy trust in Cambridge and Hertfordshire, and trustee of national charities that include Beat (eating disorders) and the international charity We Free The Children. We establishes schools, hospitals and sustainable workplaces in African countries. He is also Chair of the Dame Evelyn Glennie Foundation which promotes listening skills throughout the UK.